12 Simple Tips When Preparing Your Home for MLS Pictures

Most times, when I meet with a seller for the first time we discuss staging for their home so that they can get the most money for their home in the least amount of time. Every now and then a seller calls and is ready to get the home on the market “yesterday”. So while having a stager come to their home is still an important conversation, there are tips I give the seller so that when I arrive to the home we can get started with some great pics right away.

If you are about to put your home on the market, here are 12 simple tips for getting it camera ready for the MLS (Multiple Listing Service).

It’s All About Curb Appeal

• Remove all vehicles from driveway and in front of the home
• Have the yard trimmed; leaves raked; bushes/trees trimmed
• Bright flowers aren’t a must, but they make a huge statement in pictures!
• Take away any distracting lawn ornaments – they might be cute, but we want buyers’ eyes focused on your home in the pictures!
• From the front of your home, see how your windows appear — if there are blinds or curtains that need to be straightened, be sure to fix those as well
• Do any of the light bulbs need to be replaced?

Inside Matters

• Make all beds
• Keep floor space as clean and vacant as possible – pick up toys, clothes, boxes, etc
• Clear away the ‘clutter’ – we don’t want the buyers’ eyes focusing on your personal items, the less you have out, the better!
• Keep countertops as clean and vacant as possible – it will make them seem larger
• Take down personal photos
• Do any light bulbs need to be replaced?

Like I said above, these are simple tips that help me shoot your home on-the-spot. It certainly does not replace the value of having your home professionally staged. Also, the seller and I will have more in-depth talks about things they can do to make their home more appealing to buyer in their market. But, if I am on my way over with a camera, this list is a great way to get started! If you would like to learn more about getting your home ready for the market, contact me today!

Shannon Ensor is a Broker Associate with Sky Realty, the founder of our team and a published author. She began her Austin Real Estate career in 2005 and has earned her ABR and GRI designations. Shannon helps residential real estate buyers and sellers all around Austin and Central Texas. Shannon graduated Magna Cum Laude from Arizona State University, earning her degree in Journalism/Public Relations from ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications and a minor in Business Advertising & Marketing.